ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the Scottish education system and how it relates to the Scottish economy. It also provides an overview of each stage of education in Scotland and key features of funding and governance. The chapter examines international academic work on the economic impact of education to the Scottish education system. It proposes the performance of the Scottish school system and the qualifications of the workforce in an international comparison. The chapter summarises key contemporary developments in the education sector. According to the latest official input-output tables for Scotland, the education sector produced 4.5 percent of gross output in 2012. Given the scale of the education sector and the significant export earnings associated with higher education institutions in Scotland, it is relevant to consider economic importance simply in terms of employment and purchase of inputs. Scotland's local authorities are responsible for the provision of education, in early learning and childcare, primary and secondary education.
